BE boys’ soccer great Ed Khouri retires 500 career wins later

Ed Khouri, a soccer legend who built the Bishop England High School’s boys’ program into the best in the Palmetto State, retired Monday.

 

Khouri, a Jamaican native who turns 75 in May, became only the fifth boys’ coach in state history to reach 500 career victories when the Bishops defeated rival Hanahan on April 16, 2021.

 

The affable coach was the architect of a Bishop blueprint that has a state record 17 state championships. His first state title came in 1994. Ironically, two players on the milestone 2021 team were legacies: Gabriel Conlin and Easton Khouri. Their dads played on that ’94 state championship team.

 

Khouri, who finished his career with 513 career victories, is a throwback to the days when Bishop England’s campus was on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston, and the only athletic facility was Father O’Brien Gymnasium.

 

Khouri was bent on building a winner even without a true home field, and he reached the promised land in 1994 when he recorded his first state title at the helm of the kelly green machine.

 

Khouri’s successful soccer program was one of reasons why national media entities such as Sports Illustrated, MaxPreps and USA Today have ranked the Bishops as the state’s top athletic program at one time or another. Khouri received national recognition when he was named the Adidas NSCAA National Coach of the Year in 2007.

 

Khouri was also an assistant with the Charleston Battery, and went on to found the Daniel Island Soccer Academy, which was started more than a decade ago. Khouri said Matt Sloan, a major figure in the development of Daniel Island, encouraged him to start the program.

 

Khouri informed The Daniel Island News of his decision Monday night, noting he was headed to a family vacation and would not be available for comment until a later date.

 

 “I still get excited,” Khouri told The Daniel Island News after recording his 500th career victory. “Yes, somehow, the physical part of me is still good. And the best part is that I’m enjoying it. As a coach and human being, I look forward to this. I am blessed to have a great AD and principal, but there will come a time when I won’t want to do this. But for now, I get excited when I get the chance to coach my former players’ kids.”

 

Khouri’s 500th win pales in comparison to the other life event he celebrated that day. It also marked him and his wife Beverly’s 49th wedding anniversary.

 

 Khouri is one of only three BE coaches who have topped 500 career victories, joining girls’ basketball coach Paul Runey and volleyball coach Kathy Blackman in the elite club.